Magnepan, How Low Can You Go...power-wise

Thanks guys.

Macdadtexas, thanks for the input. I realize that to make the Maggie 3.6s sing you need good power. What I am getting at is what is the lowest power amp you could use but still get GOOD sound - would 150w at 8ohm from a good integrated (Simaudio i7) cut it? The Vandersteens have definitely interested me but I have the opportunity to buy the 3.6s very cheaply in a country where I spend some months each year. If I had the same opportunity to pick up the 3a Vandees at a good price I would, but that is not going to happen in Brazil. The 3.6s belong to an american in Sao Paulo who can't justify dragging them back to the US, so is letting them go very cheaply.

Thomastrouble,

Assuming that you are going to double the power output of 150W at 8ohms as the 3.6 will present a 4ohm load which should increase power output of the Sim to close to if not 300W, based on this being solid amplification which the Sim is you should be fine running the 3.6's and your current Sim. If you felt the need for more power you could always add and external amplifier and use the Sim as more of a processor or if the ability is there you could actually use the Sim to power the highs or lows and an outboard amplifier to actually set up to biamp the speakers.

Yes, the Simaudio 150wpc amplifier will drive them well and easily even being a nominal 4 Ohm load of impedance. Maggies have very low voltage sensitivity, somewhere around 85dB or so based on the model, so they require high wattage or at least current capability to produce moderate to high volume playback. A high current power amplifier will do better with them in general regardless of the brand or model. They also tend to respond better to solid state (like the Simaudio) than tubes depending on the brand and model of course. The Parasound A21 power amplifier at 250WPC RMS at 8 Ohms and 400 or so at 4 Ohms will not let you down with them at all. I know ... I have heard that combo many times at dealers and homes and it is effortless and beautiful sounding. Power with Maggies does what power to Usher Be-718's does ... brings them out and makes them live and sing like they can and should be able to. Don't make the mistake of skimping on the power and sheer kahunas under the hood with your maggies. For goodness sake, don't put a receiver on them of any kind; especially an A/V one. I heard that set up several times and it awful and constrained and lifeless at best.

In terms of bang for the buck, the $1200 NAD intergrated reviewed by Sam Tellig in Oct Stereophile seems hard to beat, and should do a very nice job with your 3,6's.

I keep being amazed by the responses to this. I want to know how many of these respondents have ever actually owned these speakers, and if so, how long did they keep them? If they used the dreadfully underpowered amps they have recommended I would assume it became very unsatisfying listening.

If you put that NAD integrated on a pair of 3.6r Maggies, it's not going to sound good. The amp may be fine with other speakers, but it's not going to bring those panels to life.